VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00843
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00843
Petitioner: Christine Ragsdale
Filed: 2022-08-02
Decided: 2024-01-05
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-10-28
Condition: shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 70699

AI-assisted case summary:
Christine Ragsdale filed a petition for compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, alleging that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) resulting from an influenza vaccination she received on October 28, 2020. She stated that the vaccination was administered in the United States, her symptoms persisted for more than six months, and she had not previously filed an action or received compensation for this injury. The respondent, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, filed a Rule 4(c) report conceding that Ms. Ragsdale is entitled to compensation. The Secretary concluded that her injury was consistent with SIRVA as defined by the Vaccine Injury Table, noting she had no prior shoulder issues, the pain occurred within 48 hours of vaccination, was limited to the injection site, and no other condition explained the pain. The Secretary also agreed that her symptoms persisted for more than six months. Based on the respondent's concession and the evidence, entitlement to compensation was granted. Subsequently, a decision awarding damages was issued. The parties stipulated to an award of $70,000.00 for pain and suffering and $699.08 to satisfy a Tennessee Medicaid lien. The total award was $70,699.08, to be paid as lump sum checks.

Theory of causation field:
Table

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00843-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-01-04
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 12/04/2023) regarding 22 Ruling on Entitlement. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00843-UNJ Document 27 Filed 01/04/24 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-843V
CHRISTINE RAGSDALE, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 4, 2023
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Amy A. Senerth, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Rachelle Bishop, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On August 2, 2022, Christine Ragsdale filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (SIRVA) resulting from the influenza (flu) vaccination she received on
October 28, 2020. Petition at 1. Petitioner further alleges that the vaccination was
administered within the United States, her symptoms persisted for more than six months,
and neither she, nor any other party, has ever filed any action, or received compensation
in the form of an award or settlement for her vaccine-related injury. Id. at 1, 3. The case
was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the Office of Special Masters.
1 Because this Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or
at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the Ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In accordance
with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other information,
the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I agree that
the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012).

Case 1:22-vv-00843-UNJ Document 27 Filed 01/04/24 Page 2 of 2
On November 7, 2023, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes
that Petitioner is entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report at
1. Respondent concluded that “[P]etitioner’s alleged injury is consistent with SIRVA as
defined by the Vaccine Injury Table.” Id. at 4. Specifically, Respondent determined that
“[P]etitioner had no history of pain, inflammation, or dysfunction of her right shoulder prior
to vaccination; pain occurred within 48 hours after receipt of an intramuscular vaccination;
pain was limited to the shoulder in which the vaccine was administered; and no other
condition or abnormality has been identified to explain [P]etitioner’s shoulder pain.” Id.
Respondent further agrees that “[P]etitioner suffered the residual effects of her condition
for more than six months.” Id.
In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioner is entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_22-vv-00843-1
Date issued/filed: 2024-01-05
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/04/2023) regarding 23 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer. Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (tlf) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:22-vv-00843-UNJ Document 28 Filed 01/05/24 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 22-843V
CHRISTINE RAGSDALE, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner, Filed: December 4, 2023
v.
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Maximillian J. Muller, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Rachelle Bishop, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION AWARDING DAMAGES1
On August 2, 2022, Christine Ragsdale filed a petition for compensation under the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C. §300aa-10, et seq.2 (the
“Vaccine Act”). Petitioner alleges that she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (SIRVA) resulting from the influenza (flu) vaccination she received on
October 28, 2020. Petition at 1. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
On December 4, 2023, a ruling on entitlement was issued, finding Petitioner
entitled to compensation for SIRVA. On December 4, 2023, Respondent filed a proffer on
award of compensation (“Proffer”) indicating Petitioner should be awarded $70,000.00 in
pain and suffering. Proffer at 1. Respondent also proffers that Petitioner should be
awarded funds to satisfy a Tennessee Medicaid lien in the amount of $699.08. Id. In the
Proffer, Respondent represented that Petitioner agrees with the proffered award. Id.
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or
at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government
Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In
accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other
information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I
agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all “§” references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C. § 300aa
(2012).

Case 1:22-vv-00843-UNJ Document 28 Filed 01/05/24 Page 2 of 5
Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioner is entitled to an award as stated in
the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached Proffer, I award Petitioner the
following compensation:
1. A lump sum payment of $70,000.00 in the form of a check payable to
Petitioner, Christine Ragsdale.
2. A lump sum payment of $699.08, representing compensation for
satisfaction of the State of Tennessee Medicaid lien, payable jointly to
Petitioner and Optum, and mailed to:
Optum
P.O. Box 182643
Columbus, OH 43218
Event Number: 114280082
This amount represents compensation for all damages that would be available under
Section 15(a).
The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.3
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
3 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

Case 1:22-vv-00843-UNJ Document 28 Filed 01/05/24 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
CHRISTINE RAGSDALE,
Petitioner,
No. 22-843V
v.
Chief Special Master Corcoran
ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On August 2, 2022, Christine Ragsdale (“petitioner”) filed a petition for compensation
(“Petition”) under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -
34 (“Vaccine Act” or “Act”), alleging that she suffered a Table shoulder injury related to vaccine
administration (“SIRVA”), as the result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccination received on October
28, 2020. Petition at 1. On November 7, 2023, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(“respondent”) filed a Rule 4(c) Report recommending that this case is appropriate for
compensation under the terms of the Act for SIRVA. ECF No. 20.
I. Items of Compensation
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded $70,000.00 in pain and suffering.
See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4). Petitioner agrees.
B. Medicaid Lien
Respondent proffers that petitioner should be awarded funds to satisfy a Tennessee
Medicaid lien in the amount of $699.08, which represents full satisfaction of any right of
subrogation, assignment, claim, lien, or cause of action the State of Tennessee may have against

Case 1:22-vv-00843-UNJ Document 28 Filed 01/05/24 Page 4 of 5
any individual as a result of any Medicaid payments the State of Tennessee has made to or on
behalf of petitioner from the date of her eligibility for benefits through the date of judgment in
this case as a result of her alleged vaccine-related injury suffered on or about October 28, 2020,
under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.
II. Form of the Award
Petitioner is a competent adult. Evidence of guardianship is not required in this case.
Respondent recommends that the compensation provided to petitioner should be made through
lump sum payments as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s decision
and the Court’s judgment award the following:1
A. A lump sum payment of $70,000.00 in the form of a check payable to petitioner; and
B. A lump sum payment of $699.08, representing compensation for satisfaction of the
State of Tennessee Medicaid lien, in the form of a check payable jointly to petitioner
and:
Optum
PO Box 182643
Columbus, OH 43218
Event Number: 114280082
Petitioner agrees to endorse the check to Optum for satisfaction of the Medicaid lien.
Respectfully submitted,
BRIAN M. BOYNTON
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General
C.SALVATORE D’ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
1 Should petitioner die prior to entry of judgment, the parties reserve the right to move the Court
for appropriate relief. In particular, respondent would oppose any award for future,
unreimbursed expenses, future lost earnings and future pain and suffering.
2

Case 1:22-vv-00843-UNJ Document 28 Filed 01/05/24 Page 5 of 5
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
ALEXIS B. BABCOCK
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Rachelle P. Bishop
RACHELLE P. BISHOP
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
(202)616-3662
Rachelle.P.Bishop@usdoj.gov
Dated: December 4, 2023
3